Electoral Commission Addresses Election Disruptions in Kano and Other States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it is monitoring cases of thuggery and hijacking of electoral materials in some states during the ongoing rerun and bye-elections in Nigeria.

The affected states include Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Enugu, where violence has been reported.

Despite these disruptions, the electoral body has stated that polls opened promptly and accreditation went smoothly in the 8,934 Polling Units in 26 States involved in Saturday’s bye-elections and re-run elections.

The Commission is taking the situation seriously, as they are investigating reported incidents in specific locations in the affected states.

In the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, they are looking into incidents in Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA.

In the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, they are investigating reports of disruption in 8 Polling Units in Uwani West Ward. In the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituencies of Kano State, processes have been disrupted in Kunchi Local Government Area involving 10 Polling Units.

The Commission has assured that they are monitoring the situation and taking appropriate actions to address these issues.

The elections are being conducted to replace members who died or resigned their memberships of the national and state assemblies, as well as rerun elections at designated constituencies or polling units (PUs) as ordered by the election appeal tribunals.

A total of 4,613,291 Nigerians who have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the exercise.

The elections will fill vacancies in not less than three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies spread across 80 local government areas, 575 registration areas/wards and 8,934 polling units involving 4,904,627 registered voters.

The Electoral Commission’s proactive approach to addressing these disruptions is a step in the right direction to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly and that the voices of the Nigerian people are heard.